Tag Archives: International Peace Day

Featured Image: Organizers of the International Day of Peace event placed doves around the Albert A. Sheen Campus to direct guests to the location of the event.

Alicia Taylor |

ST. CROIX – Students on the Albert A. Sheen campus gathered in EVC 401 Friday, September 16, to observe International Day of Peace. This is the fourth year English 100 students and faculty have organized and held this event on St. Croix.

“Because of Beyoncé and the national news, we decided the focus of overcoming racism was a topic that needed to be addressed and discussed,” said Mary Wilder, Assistant Professor of English. “Instead of just reading about it, we want students to be involved and talk about the issues we presented today.”

To assist in getting the focus across to the University students, Judge George Cannon came to speak about peace within and without.

Like this:

Cease-fire on violence needed in the V.I.

MARY JO WILDER

ST. CROIX – Wednesday, Sept. 18, students, faculty and community organizations will gather at the University of the Virgin Islands to observe International Day of Peace (IDP). This event hopes to be a continuation of the local dialogue begun in the “Hurt to Healing” forum held this spring in the Great Hall at UVI.

When asked why one should attend, one of the student organizers, Denver Mike, shared, “I believe this form of engagement is crucial for our community – not only to speak openly on such a dire issue, but also to enjoy the camaraderie of a shared goal.”

In 2001,the United Nations officially established Sept. 21 as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire.

Just over seven months ago on Jan. 24, the Daily News noted the V.I. homicide rate was still among the worlds highest. It seems the Virgin Islands need their own cease fire.

April 22, former student, twenty-two-year-old Troy Joseph was shot on campus in the parking lot after a college event. Students say there was an argument about a gold chain he was wearing. Apparently the expensive piece of jewelry was gotten through questionable means, and the original owner wanted it back. Many students have reported that Troy was unwilling to give up the chain and lost his life because of it.

This tragedy could have been prevented. The university is not immune to the violence that plagues the island. But, it is not enough to merely call for peace.

Carolyn Keys Alternatives to Violence coordinator and guest speaker for the IDP observance explains that violence is a disease, and we must begin to heal from the trauma of violence or we will continue to implode or explode. Though the subject is complex, there are answers for the healing.

The university’s IDP observance is scheduled from 9 to 11am in the theater (EVC 401). There will be a range of solutions offered that students can begin to work on to heal the trauma in their own lives. Ms. Garcia, staff member in the office for student success, will review the characteristics of a healthy self and thereby a peaceful one.

Serena Sundaram from CommuniChi Central will give a brief overview and demonstration on acupuncture and its use in other trauma sites like New York after 9/11 and New Orleans after Katrina.

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council has scheduled public hearings for April 3 and April 4 on a major plan to change fishery management in the U.S. Caribbean. The proposal will affect everyone who eats seafood and/or makes a living in this industry.

A chronological log of the homicides recorded in 2019 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as reported by the VIPD. Cases are broken down by island. The Source does not include suicides or vehicular homicides in its listing. STX – 1 Territory – 1 Date of death – Jan. 1 Joseph O. Brow was shot to […]

Mostly sunny skies are forecast across the Virgin Islands today as a drier air mass continues to filter into the local area resulting in limited shower activity. A light east to southeasterly wind flow is expected today and while some scattered showers may occur later this evening, rainfall accumulations will be at a minimum. Seas […]

With just two more days of early voting left, Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes is urging the public to take advantage of the final days. Early Voting for the 2019 Special Election will end March 22. The Special Election is slated for March 30.

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council has scheduled public hearings for April 3 and April 4 on a major plan to change fishery management in the U.S. Caribbean. The proposal will affect everyone who eats seafood and/or makes a living in this industry.

A chronological log of the homicides recorded in 2019 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as reported by the VIPD. Cases are broken down by island. The Source does not include suicides or vehicular homicides in its listing. STX – 1 Territory – 1 Date of death – Jan. 1 Joseph O. Brow was shot to […]

With just two more days of early voting left, Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes is urging the public to take advantage of the final days. Early Voting for the 2019 Special Election will end March 22. The Special Election is slated for March 30.

Early voting ends March 22 and on March 30 the territory will cast ballots to decide whether to approve a ballot initiative creating districts, electing more senators at large and bypassing the Legislature to rearrange how senator’s office funds work. The plan does nothing to address any of the problems its proponents say they want to fix.